The next session of the Fresh Conversations senior nutrition program will be held on May 16, 2024, at 8:15 a.m. at the Ottawa Recreation Commission Goppert Building, 705 W. 15th. The program is open to any Kansan 60 or older and will continue the 3rd Thursday of every month. Each program will include recipe tastings, and attendees will receive a free pass to work out that day, which will be valid for Silver Sneakers as well. More information is available in this flyer, or contact Kris Wallace, SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator in the Frontier Extension District Ottawa office, at 785-229-3520 or krwall@ksu.edu
Read the Frontier District's 2023 Annual Report. We look forward to working with you and serving you in 2024!
The inaugural Women in Agriculture conference held in the Frontier Extension District brought together 70 individuals with a common goal of exploring topics relevant to today’s agriculture industry. Participants from seven counties in east central Kansas had the opportunity to learn from experts in agricultural advocacy, land lease basics, coping skills and building resiliency, FSA/NRCS programs, crop and livestock insurance, and grain marketing. In addition to the Frontier Extension District, the March 20th conference was sponsored by the Conservation Districts in Franklin and Osage counties, the Farm Bureau Associations in Franklin and Osage counties, the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, Ottawa Coop, and Frontier Farm Credit. Due to the generosity of sponsors, there was no charge for registration or lunch, which made for a terrific day focused on learning!
A capacity crowd at the Feb. 26, 2024, Prescribed Burning Workshop gained information and insight from Ethan Walker, NRCS range specialist; Justin Harbit, KDWP wildlife biologist; Nathan Griesemer, NWS meteorologist; and David Kraft with the Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition. Additional local information was shared by Tom Winter, Franklin County Emergency Management Director, Keri Harris, Franklin County Conservation District, and Rod Schaub, Frontier Extension District agriculture agent.
Because a prescribed burn is intentional and used under specific conditions to accomplish defined objectives, planning is essential. Notes from the workshop included the following:
- Done correctly, a prescribed burn can safely achieve the predetermined goals, including improvements to the ecosystem.
- The National Weather Service (NWS) has online, updated information available for planning burns and monitoring a burn once it has started. Griesemer also explained how officials in charge of prescribed burns can communicate with the NWS.
- Walker presented information on water needs, ignition and suppression equipment, communication tools and techniques, and clothing types/how to wear them. He summarized the recommendations: purchase/rent/borrow the best equipment you can afford—your life may depend on it, maintain the equipment, and check it all immediately before beginning a burn.
- Walker also discussed the roles of fire crew members and their responsibilities for a specific burn.
- Kraft spoke on fire behavior, which varies by the type of fuel in the burn area, the pattern in which the fire is ignited, and the terrain of the burn area.
- While not presented as legal advice, Kraft shared insights on what happens if a fire escapes. He encouraged trying to settle out of court, which is much less expensive, and to expect to pay for damaged improvements and lost forage, but not rangeland restoration.
- Walker explained the importance of Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES).
- Harbit discussed burn patterns and practices that can minimize negative impacts on wildlife/habitat: a ring fire can trap wildlife and adequate cover needed for adult quail is the size of a softball and the size of golf balls for chicks.
- Brush piles should be more than 100 feet from utility poles to avoid compromising the poles, and debris should be pulled away from valuable trees during timber burns.
- Mop Up, the final step in a burn, is imperative. Many fires get away after everyone has gone home.
Sponsors of the workshop were the Frontier Extension District and the Franklin County Conservation District.
To see the slides of each presentation, click the links below:
Lancaster's weed management presentation
Onofre's Corn Tar Spot presentation
Catch us on the radio!
Don't forget to tune in to KOFO 103.7 FM or 1220 AM to three days a week to get Frontier Extension District updates.
Missed a program? Now you can go to the KOFO Recordings page to hear previous radio programs.